Kellogg MBA Recommendation Questions
The Northwestern MBA application is live for the Class of 2029 — meaning that the Kellogg MBA recommendation questions for the 2026-2027 admissions season are now available to recommenders of Northwestern / Kellogg MBA applicants.
Applicants are asked to submit two recommendations from individuals who can objectively assess and speak directly about their professional experience and leadership promise. Recommenders are asked to provide background information about their relationship with the applicant and briefly respond to four questions about constructive feedback and how the applicant compares to others. It is preferred that one recommendation come from a current supervisor, but if that is not possible, the application provides a drop-down with several options to note why.
2026-2027 Northwestern / Kellogg MBA Recommendation Questions
Recommender Information
Context of Relationship:
- Current Direct Supervisor
- Current Skip-level Supervisor
- Board Member
- Client
- Colleague
- Former Supervisor
- Project Manager
- University/Academic
- Extracurricular/Community
- Other
Highest Degree Earned:
- No Degree in Higher Education
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- JD
- MBA
- MD
- Doctoral Degree
- Other
Are you a Kellogg Alumnus?
Have known candidate since:
Please comment briefly on the context of your interaction with the applicant and his/her role in your organization.
What has been the candidate’s most significant contribution to your organization? Provide measurable impact if applicable.
Based on your professional experience, how do you rate this candidate compared to their peer group?
- The best I’ve encountered in my career
- Outstanding (Top 5%)
- Excellent (Top 10%)
- Very good (well above average)
- Average
- Below average
- No basis
If needed, please explain any rankings above (max 250 characters).
Do you recommend this candidate for Kellogg?
- Recommend the candidate
- Recommend the candidate with reservations
- Do not recommend the candidate
Are you willing to speak with an admissions officer about this candidate? (yes/no)
Should the candidate accept an offer of admission, I understand I may be contacted by Re Vera Services as part of the application verification process, via phone and/or email, to verify authenticity of this letter of recommendation.
Recommendation Letter
After completing the assessment section above, recommenders are presented with the following Kellogg MBA recommendation questions for uploading in a letter:
- Share an example of how the candidate has engaged with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders who held perspectives different from their own. How did they navigate the situation, and what does this demonstrate about their ability to lead or collaborate in complex environments? (300 words)
- How does the candidate’s performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
- Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant’s response. (250 words)
- (Optional) Is there anything else you would like us to know?
MBA Applywire
Education/Testing
- T20 US University, 3.73 GPA, Economics - Graduated 2022
- Won some research/academic awards in undergrad - not sure if that matters
- GRE 332: 167Q/165V
Background & Experience
- 26M, based in South America, work across two roles in a family business
- Role 1: Small division within the family business making a leather goods (private label for a small client base). I led the entire public launch of our own brand, from the ground up, including hiring the full team and building out retail placement. Now have 3 of our own retail locations plus placement in larger third-party retailers, roughly $1.5M in sales over the last two years
- Role 2: Regional sales leadership for a distribution business, leading two teams (40+ people total). Led a strategy pivot that roughly quadrupled our regional sales target over three years to 250K$
ECs
- Regional chair of global professional organization
Pivot to Energy Strategy Consulting and potential achievable universities. GMAT Focus: 665. India-based Chemical Engineering gold medalist (rank#1) with 5+ years in India at renowned US-based EPC major, delivering process engineering on two flagship LNG EPC projects, earning 6+ internal recognitions and 2 merit based promotions. Took on a parallel 6-month international leadership role coordinating a USAID-funded social impact project in Zambia, managing a 16-person local team. Extracurricular national-level footballer, leadership of two Toastmasters clubs (one to President's Distinguished status), and an accredited Mental Health First Aider certification. Post MBA transition into Energy Strategy Consulting to build commercial and strategic capability before returning to scale a GCC-based family business, which currently supporting for past 9 months, into an energy transition solutions provider. Thank you!
Chemical Engineering Bachelors and Masters (3.44 and 3.88 respectively)
Currently mentoring entry level engineers as well.
Worried about transition from a more engineering field to consulting and how the masters impacts admission odds
Background:
24F, Indian
GPA - 7.5 from a Tier 1 Indian college
Participated in CBSE Swimming nationals, and won medals in relay
Took part in badminton clusters
Was part of the prefectorial body in which we welcomed delegates from all around the world
Took part in a NASA program wherein we visited the Johnson Space Centre in Houston
College:
Not good GPA but can defend it
Part of college badminton team and won many laureates
Got bronze in an inter-collegiate tournament as the women’s badminton team captain. And created history as this wasn’t achieved before by any woman’s badminton team
Was the sportswoman of the year for my college
Was part of the incubation center management team of the college. Was part of the strategic relations team (where we almost got Steve Wozniak to deliver a speech) and was the event management team lead
Work Experience:
3yrs Software eng/ quant experience in a top investment bank (front office and back office Eng roles)
Got a promotion
Lead a 2months intern project
What are my chances for the above colleges for a MBA and can I expect any scholarship?
Should I retake the test? Planning to apply in R1
Two-time founder (marketing agency during undergrad, then a fintech post-graduation), ex-Kearney consulting, currently on the founding team of a boutique financial consulting firm. Based in Pakistan, 29. Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Undergrad from LUMS (top business school in Pakistan) with a 2.91 GPA, which I know is my main weakness.
Targeting HBS, Stanford, and MIT Sloan for R1. I'm aware these are reaches given my GPA. GRE is in progress, currently retaking to push into the 315 to 320 range with a strong quant score to offset the academic profile.
Post-MBA goal is to scale into senior operating or founder roles in fintech and financial services, building on my consulting and startup background.